Combined ottoman and collapsible back rest



Dec. 27, 1960 e. F. BLASCHKO COMBINED OTTOMAN AND COLLAPSIBLE BACK RESTFiled NOV. 17, 1958 INVENTOR. GERALD F. BLASCHKO COMBINED OTTOMAN ANDCOLLAPSIBLE BACK REST Gerald F. Blaschko, RR. 2, Le Center, Minn.

Filed Nov. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 774,256

Claims. (Cl. 155-169) This invention relates generally to a combinedottoman and back rest assembly, particularly adapted for use in viewingtelevision programs and the like.

A number of different devices have previously been developed for thispurpose. However, none of these afiords the compact storage arrangementof the unit combined with the comfort provided by the back and arm restwhen the elements are extended into operative position.

It is an object of this invention to provide a back rest particularlydesigned to be positioned on the floor for viewing television programsand the like and which can be compactly collapsed into a storage unit,which resembles an ottoman and is capable of all of the uses to which anottoman can be put.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a con vertible typeottoman within which a sectional seat and back rest can be compactlystored and which is particularly constructed to afford support for thetop of the ottoman when said sections are in collapsed storage position.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following descriptions made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts through out the several views, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing my new combined ottoman andback-rest with the sections thereof disposed in back-restoperativeposition.

Fig. 2 is a central sectional side view showing the disposition of theparts in back rest operative position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the parts collapsed into ottomanoperative position.

Fig. 4 is a central sectional side view showing the disposition of theparts in ottoman operative position.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I provide a combinedottoman and back rest, seat and arm rest assembly having a bottom 5 backpanel 6 and side panels 7, all rigidly interconnected in the form of theinvention shown.

A top panel designated by the numeral 8 is pivoted between the sidepanels 7 and when the back rest is in collapsed position the top isdisposed horizontally across the top of the area between the ends 7. Afront panel 9 is pivotally mounted between the front portions of thesides 7 and has a pair of flexible pads and 11 respectively connected tothe upper edge 9a thereof. The pivotal axis of the two panels 8 and 9are disposed in spaced relation to the swinging edges thereof forpurposes to be brought out hereafter.

In order to collapse the back rest as best shown in Figures 3 and 4 thepad 11 is doubled back upon the pad 10 and the two pads 10 and 11 foldedback against the front panel 9. The front panel 9 is swung upwardly intovertical position to close the front area between the side panels 7. Thepads 10 and 11 are'confined within the hollow area of the unit asillustrated in Fig- 2,95%,205 Patented Dec. 27, 1960 ure 4 and the toppanel 8 is supported in horizontal position on the upper edge of thefront panel 9 as shown.

Suitable means for pivoting the front panel 9 are provided such as thepivot rod 12 which is disposed in upwardly spaced relation above thebottom 5 in order to position the front panel 9 at the same angle ofinclination as the top panel 8 and inalignrnent therewith when saidpanels are extended to provide a back rest. The top panel 8 is alsomounted on suitable pivot means such as the rod 13 and suitable meansare provided for supporting the lower free edge portion 8a of said top 8when the same is in inclined back rest position such as the crossbar 14supported by any suitable means such as the inclined angle members 15best shown in Figure l. The cross member 14 and angle members 15 combineto provide a rigid frame structure interconnecting the two side panels 7and materially increase the rigidity and strength of the entire unit.

It will be seen that I have provided a relatively simple yet highlyeficient back rest unit which can be compaotly collapsed to form a neatand attractive ottoman. The hinged top panel 8 may, of course, bedisposed to any desired angle; however the support 14 is disposed toengage the top section when in back rest position and to align the lowerfront edge of the top section 8 with the elevated rear edge of the frontpanel 9 as best shown in Figure 2. These two panel sections may bedisposed in substantial alignment as illustrated in Figure 2 orconstructed to form a continuous back rest arrangement with any desiredrelated angular relation between said two sections 8 and 9.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention which, generally stated,consists in the matter set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combined ottoman and collapsible back rest comprising a pair ofspaced apart upstanding side panels, a top panel pivoted to the upperrear portion of the side panels and swingable into inclined back restoperative position across the open area between said side panels, meansfor supporting the front portion of said top panel in inclined back restoperative position, means releasable, holding said top panel inhorizontally disposed position across the upper portion of the sidepanels, a front panel pivotally mounted at the lower portion thereof tosaid side panels and extending therebetween to form in one position acontinuation of the top panel when the same is swung into inclined backrest operative position but forming a front closure panel when saidfront panel is swung up into upstanding position.

2. A combined ottoman and collapsible back rest comprising a pair ofspaced apart upstanding side panels, a front panel pivotally mounted atits lower portion to the lower front portion of said side panels, theupper portion of said front panel being forwardly swingable into backrest operative position, a top panel pivoted at the rear portion thereofto the upper rear portion of the side panels and swingable into inclinedback rest operative position across the open area between the sidepanels, means for supporting the front portion of said top panel ininclined back rest operative position, said top panel supporting meansbeing cooperatively disposed with respect to the axis of said top panelpivot and the axis of said front panel pivot so as to position said toppanel in back rest operative inclined position in substantial alignmentwith said front panel in back rest operative position to provide acontinuous back rest.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 and said front panel beingpivotally mounted in upwardly spaced relation above the bottom of saidside panels, said front panel inclining downwardly toward the upperportion of said front panel when said front panel is disposed in backrest operative position with the top edge of the front panel resting onthe floor.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3 and ahorizontal bottom panelenclosing-the area between said'side panels, an upstanding back panelenclosing the area between said side panels, said bottom panel and saidtop panel when said top panel is in horizontal position and said frontpanel is in upstanding position to provide an enclosed compartmentwithin said panels, the upper 'free edge of the front panel underlyingand snpportingthe 'front marginal edge portion of the top panel whensaid top'pan el is in horizontally disposed'position.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 and Cushioning means hingedlyconnected to the upper free edge of the front panel constructed andarranged to be stored within the compartment defined by said panels whenthe same are in closed position, said pivots and means supporting thefront end of said top panel in back rest operative position consistingin pivot rods extending horizontally between said side panels, and saidside panels providing arm rests when the unit is disposed in back; restoperative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS241,748 Strauss May 17, 1881 2,528,768 Marsh Nov. 7, 1950 2,857,957 GayOct. 28, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 240,085 Great Britain Sept. 24, 1925

